Pakistan opens airspace for PM Modi to fly to Bishkek

Islamabad : Working positively on India's request, Pakistan on Tuesday allowed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fly through its airspace to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Kyrgyzstan’s capital, Bishkek on June 13 and 14.

Pakistan had completely shut its airspace post air strikes by Indian Air Force in Balakot region across Line of Control. IAF planes had targeted terror hideouts of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) training camp in Balakot on February 26, to avenge death of 40 CRPF personnel in Pulwama.

Speaking to news agency PTI, an official confirmed that the Imran Khan government has approved in principle the Indian government’s request to let Prime Minister Modi’s aircraft fly over the Pakistani airspace to Bishkek.

“The Indian government will be conveyed about the decision once the procedural formalities are completed. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will also be directed to notify the airmen subsequently,” the official said, adding Pakistan was hopeful that India would respond to its offer for peace dialogue.

Earlier, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had written a letter to congratulate PM Narendra Modi for landslide victory and had requested to solve the tension between two nations with dialogues.

Khan said Pakistan desires the resolution of all problems, including that of the Kashmir issue, the letter mentioned.